Drapery Panels - Making The CutIf the fabric has a directional pattern, like the one I'm using, you must first decide which way is up. After making this decision, the next one will be to determine where to have the top edge of the drape hit on the pattern. Each panel needs to be cut identically so that the points of the print fall at the same height on every panel in a room.
I've drawn the above sketch to demonstrate these points.
Now to the actual cutting...the twelve yard length of fabric is laid out on the longest stretch of floor I have in my house. Doubled, there still isn't quite enough room...ah for an endlessly long cutting table!
(Panel One)
Cutting Panel One: First I calculate the total length of each panel including the top and bottom hems. Then I mark this length on the fabric after determining where I want the top edge of the drape to hit within the pattern. The first cut is made 3 inches above that point, then I measure 110" down from the top, cutting the bottom edge of the panel. There was about two inches of extra fabric to cut off this first run. This panel will now be used as the guide to cut the remaining three panels.
(Panel Two)
Cutting Panel Two: The first panel is turned over and laid on the next run of fabric, matching the registration points and checking the pattern to make certain it lines up accurately between the two layers. Luckily only about an inch needed to be cut off the second panel's bottom hem...yes, not much fabric waste. I may have just enough!
After I cut the bottom edge of the second panel I simply used the cut edge of the first panel as the guide to cut the top edge of this second panel.
Lining up the registration points make cutting identical panels much easier.
(Panel Three)
Cutting Panel Three: Again I used the first panel to be the guide to cut this third panel.
The top layer is shifted up so that the registration points line up. Once this is done I cut the top and bottom edges, repeating the approach used to cut the previous panel. Are you following me, isn't this dry?
(Panel Four)
Cutting panel four: The first panel is laid on the last run of the fabric. After it is in place with the registration points lining up, the bottom and top hem cuts are made.
Relief, all the panels are cut identically with just enough extra fabric remaining to make a pillow.
Tomorrow, top hems...have I lost you yet, are you still there?
20 comments:
Nope, you haven't lost me. As a matter of fact, it's a great reminder that I need to get off the blogs and go start making some drapes too ! They are going to be really pretty ! So, you're going to start at the top, I always start with the botton hem.....
Oh, I am SO EXCITED you are doing this tut!!! I'm anxiously awaiting the rest...good luck!! I've been wanting to do this but was too nervous I"d screw up.
Very well thought out, logical tutorial. Haven't seen one like this yet, so I'm glad you're doing it. Have a great day!
Thank you so much! Not boring at all to the ones of us that want to learn how to do it. Thank you again for taking the time to do this.
I just marked this page for future reference when I finally get around to making these for my bedroom- love this, thank you!
So, what do you do with the scraps?
I have been thinking for some time I must learn to make curtain panels - am so impressed at your project and look forward to following progress. The plus side of pattern, I find, is it helps me to sew straight if I have something to follow! I gravitate often towards stripes for that reason...
PS - so funny that your brother pushed you out of the tree house! (And that you were uninjured, of course).
Great tip about matching up the registration marks!
I'll be back tomorrow :)
I haven't made my own drapes in a few years now, but I remember dealing with patterns and figuring out how much fabric to order because of it, etc. Thankfully, you do have that nice long hallway!
You've lost me between picture 3 & 4....., but keep going :o)
Happy New Year!
I'll peek at your projects & drool;-
wishing I was a ball of energy, like you!
-Sylvi
Great post! I'm bookmarking it for later :)
Lovely blog, by the way! So glad I stumbled across it this afternoon!
Girl, you could show one hundred photos of that fabric and I'd never be bored. Love it. Can't wait to see the final panels !
Thanks for the tips! I'll be saving this for when I get around to making some drapes for myself! Keep em coming!
Are you kidding me? I never get tired of tutorials. Can't wait to see the next steps!
Yep, you lost me way up there! I can cut panels if I HAVE to but that's the beauty of the drop cloth drapes....very forgiving!
I got some great drapery hardware for my daughter's bedroom last year at Ross for $13.00 per rod! They look like ones I'd seen that cost 2-3 times that amount so I really got lucky on those. I've paid lots for curtain rods and hardware before but now I try and keep it a little more $$ friendly...I've even bought some at Ikea and Freds.
Can't wait to see the entire room re-do.
Hugs!
Judy
The ikat fabric is goregeous!!! I don't sew well. You make it all look easy! Can't wait to see you next step.
xo,
cristin
I love that fabric. Janell, how did you decide on the width of your panels? Window width?? Fabric width?? Thanks. Can't wait until our next lesson.
Lori
I think I can I think I can.....
I think I will ship my fabric to you!!!
And, what did you find at J.Crew?!
I'm making my around your blog and enjoying your tutorials very much. I've never made drapes but my mom taught me to sew and this cutting part is a lot like cutting wallpaper. This makes me think I can do it (almost).
Very inspiring! I'm going to try this soon, but I am deathly afraid of making a mistake. I will keep your amazing tutorial open on my computer screen the entire time! 1 step at a time. Thank you for posting such amazingly educational stuff! Love it! K
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